Waterproof suit



June 1, 1 L. E. E. GOSSNER WATERPROOF SUIT 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1'7, 1950 W 44am W ATTORNEYS June 1, 1954 L. E. E. GOSSNER 2,679,647

WATERPROOF SUIT Filed Oct. 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Louis EL: Gossner wwgm ATTORNEYS Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES OFFICE assignor to Treg, Inc.,

San Francisco, Calif., a

corporation of California Application October 17,

2 Claims.

This invention pertains to a novel and improved waterproof suit or coverall particularly designed to be donned and removed rapidly and with a minimum of effort. The suit is particu- 1950, Serial No. 190,589

2 Fig. 5 is a detail of the improved fly structure for the suit.

In the drawings Fig. 1 indicates broadly a waterproof garment constructed of a suitable larly designed for use by troops during landing 5 light waterproof material, for example, rubberoperations through water wherein the suit must i' ed cotton fabric or other suitable light, flexible be put on rapidly prior to the landing operation waterproof material, which comprises broadly a and may then be rapidly removed after the body portion I I, foot or boot members I2 and I3, wearer has emerged from the water onto the hood member I 4 and fly !5. It will be seen that land. It may also be used wherever a completely the suit is designed to cover the entire body from waterproof garment is required. head to foot and is completely waterproof up to Prior suits of this type have been at best makethe vicinity of the wearers face, shift and have been extremely bulky and cum- In order to emphasize the various novel feabersome and in many instances difficult to put tures of the suit the various elements thereof on and more difficult to remove after they have Will fi st be OO S de Bd epa t ybeen wetted. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawing, there is The present invention contemplates an imillustrated an improved boot or foot member deproved waterproof suit structure which will ens ned to be us d i C ju cti W th th Suit or able free movement, bending or crouching by the whi h may e rm d as a integral par f the wearer and yet which will not be of excessive e h f- Boot r f t m m r 12 i p rbulk. The invention further contemplates such ably formed of the ame light Waterproof m a suit embodying a number of improved features terial as the balance of the suit and is preferably which will be hereinafter discussed in detail. o med With a Very Sli ht tap f Om t t heel It is therefore one object of this invention to to the substantially circular top thereof. In the provide an improved waterproof suit which will embodiment shown in Fig. 2, which is separable be of reduced bulk but which will allow free from the lower port on o t e trouser t movement in any position by the wearer, withupper extremity of the boot is constructed with out binding. inner and outer walls It and I! which are joined It is another object of this invention to proas shown at a point app c y belOW the p d h suit which may be readily donned of the boot to form a double-walled top extremand easily removed. ity therefor. As shown, a peripheral line of zip- It is a further object of the present invention p ee 18 i preferably provided adjacent t e to provide improved boots or foot extremities for line Of ju cti n f in er wa l it and Outer Wall such a suit which will obviate many of the disl1 and i ppr pr y w r s i h d her advantages previously attendant in such foottwe n al n heir lin of j n Z pp wear. teeth 18 are designed to be meshed with a cor- It is a further object of this invention to proresponding p ph line of Zipper teeth pvide an improved fly structure for such suits. plied about the bottom extremity of the trouser It is a further object of this invention to pros W l h ei fter be discussed in more vide an improved hood or head member for such 40 detail. a suit. 7 A top binding strap I 9 is shown disposed about Other and further objects of the present inthe upper outer periph ry f h fOOt p Slightly vention will become apparent as this specificaabove the line of zipp e th a d s mainta ned tion proceeds. in position thereabout by strap loop 20 which Referring to the drawings, is appropriately cemented or otherwise affixed Fig. l is a plan view of the improved waterabout the outer periphery of the top of the boot. proof suit with the fastenings in open condition; The sole portion of the boot preferably com- Fig. 2 is a, perspective view, partially b k prises an outer sole 2| and an inner sole 22 which away, of the improved boot or foot member for are pref r ly r p iv ly m nt d r o herthe suit with the fastenings in open condition; Wise applied over the reinforcd material form- Fig. 3 is a rear view of the improved hood nd ing the bottom of the foot. As shown, outer sole shoulder structure of the suit; 2| is preferably turned up over the toe portion of Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the the boot to provide a toe member 23 and is leg and foot structure for the improved suit with turned up over the heel portion thereof to prothe fastening closed; vide a heel member 24. Outer sole 2! is preferably formed of a reasonably heavy cork and rubber mixture, to provide a strong, nonslipping sole for the boot.

Inner sole 23 is preferably formed of a reasonably heavy soft material such as flannel or heavy cotton drill and is appropriately cemented over the material of the boot to provide an inner sole therefor. As shown, the lateral edges of inner sole 22 are preferably extended above the sole line of the boot and its edges are preferably segmented in substantially vertical segments 25 which lie against the lower inner wall of the upper of the boot. Binding straps 26 and 21 are shown suitably affixed laterally of the sides of the boot at about its median point by means of tabs 28 and 29 which are preferably cemented under the sole portion of the boot between the material and the outer sole 2| to provide a firm mounting for binding straps 26 and 21. The boot is preferably reinforced about its entire periphery for about 1% above the edge of the sole.

The top opening of boot I2 is preferably on the order of to 12 inches in diameter to permit the ready insertion of a foot and shoe therein.

Referring to the leg portions of the suit, bellows or insert members 30 and 3| are preferably provided in the forward center edges thereof, extending from the ankle portion thereof to an appreciable distance above the knee portion. Insert members 30 and 3| are preferably formed by slitting the material of the forward edge of the leg of the garment substantially from the ankle region to the center of the thighregion thereof and then inserting, as by cementing, an excess of material between these slits to provide a greater freedom for expansion at the forward knee portion of the leg. As shown, inserts 30 and 3! are preferably gradually enlarged to a point over the knee cap of the wearer and are then tapered onwardly above to a point at substantially the middle of the upper thigh. Inserts 3n and 3| are preferably formed of the same material as the balance of the suit.

Referring to the head or hoodportion M of the suit, the hood is preferably ef considerable width and extends outwardly to approximately the middle of the shoulders of the suit. Hood [4 is preferably provided with a facial drawstring 32 which is preferably inserted about the front lateral edges thereof in a peripheral recess provided by a doubling back and cementing of the material of the forward portion of the hood. As shown, drawstring 32 emerges from the lower front extremities of the hood through holes provided therefor in suchfashion that it may be tied about the chin or lower portion of the face of the wearer.

The top or upper portion of the hoodis preferably of such length as to extend downwardly to a point just above the wearers eyes. In order that the hood portion of the garment may be adjustable to any size head and the position of the upper edge thereof may be adjustable to the individual wearer a strap 34 is provided, extending from the lower rear portion of the-hood forwardly to its front forward edge 33. Strap 34 is preferably adjustably affixed at the lower rear portion of the hood by means of the tab .35 carrying adjustable buckle 36. As shown, strap 34 is preferably ailixed to the hood adjacent its forward center edge and extends rearwardly thereover through strap eye 31 which maintains it in proper position across the medial line of the hood, whence it passes downwardly through buckle 36. By pulling upwardly on the extremity of strap 34 4 the forward edge of the hood is pulled to the rear to adjust its position with respect to the face of the wearer.

Referring to the back shoulder portion of the garment, a V-shaped or triangular insert 38 is preferably provided centrally thereof, lying directly below the rear portion of the hood between the shoulders of the garment, to provide a bellows or .expansible insert at that point to allow freedom of movement to the arms of the wearer and to facilitate donning and removal of the garment. As shown, insert 38 is preferably of triangular shape and is preferably tapered downwardly to a point approximately between the shoulder blades of the wearer.

and is preferably made integral therewith and extends outwardly therefrom an appreciable distance, preferably on the order of two inches. Flat springs 39 and 40 are preferably disposed laterally within the outer edges of the opening of fly 15 in such fashion that when outward pressure is applied to the extremities thereof the outer periphery of the fly will open and Will be maintained in open position until springs 39 and 49 are forced inwardly together. Details of the terminal connections of springs 39 and 40 are shown in Fig. 5. These terminal connections are identical at both end junctures of springs 39 and lO-and comprise, as shown, aspring steel tongue t and parallel fingers j aflixed at the extremity of spring 39, tongue it being curved and fitting through a slotted head It aflixed to the extremity of spring 40, fingers 1 bearing against the lateral extremities of head It above tongue t. Thus, when springs 39 and 40 are forced together slotted head It will pivot on tongue t in contact with fingers I which will then force it into a horizontal'position against the pressure of tongue 2. to hold-springs 39 and 40 in close, bearing relationship. Conversely, when springs 39 and 40 are forced outwardly slotted head It will pivot on tongue 1. against the pressure of fingers I until springs 39 and 40 are sufficiently distorted, at which time they will spring outwardly and remain in open, opposed relationship, maintained in thatposition by the spring tension of tongue 15 and fingers f against head it.

When in closed position fly [5 is designed to be folded back upon itself and clamped in that position to prevent ingress of water through the In the body of the suit it will be seen that a large triangular insert or apron 42 is provided between the edges 43 and 44 of the forward portion of the suit. Insert 42 is preferably cemented or otherwise aflixed between the edges 43 and 44, which as shown are provided with an appropriate zipper fastener 45 and slide 46. Insert 42 is preferably triangular in shape and at its top portion is appreciably wider than the lower portion of the hood member and tapers downwardly to come to a point just above the fly member l5 of the suit.

Suitable arm members 41 and 48 are provided extending downwardly from the shoulders of the suit and are preferably provided with elastic wrist bands 49 and 5|) at their extremities to provide a water-tight closure at the extremities of the sleeves of the suit about the wrists of the wearer. It will be noted that considerable fullness is preferably provided in the shoulders and M ya arms of the suit to accommodate the garments of the wearer.

An additional bellows insert is also preferably provided in the crotch seam and seat of the garment, extending from the front edge of the crotch seam to approximately the center of the seat. This insert eliminates binding in the crotch of the garment when the wearer is in a stooping or bending position. It is preferably of substantially the same tapered shape as inserts and 3| and is cemented or otherwise affixed to the edges of the opened crotch seam, which is split to receive it.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing the boot member is made integral with the trouser leg, the double-walled top and zipper extremity of the boot shown in Fig. 2 being eliminated in this embodiment of the invention. Binding straps l9 and 262'l are provided to tighten the ankle and upper foot portion of the boot about the ankle and foot of the wearer.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the boot member is made separable from the trouser leg the lower extremity of the trouser leg and the boot top are of substantially the same diameter. In this embodiment of the invention after the balance of the suit has been put on the boot member is slipped over the foot of the wearer and the lower extremity of the trouser leg is inserted between inner wall It and outer wall I! of the boot top. The zipper slide is then actuated to join the zipper teeth 43 with the zipper teeth aboutthe lower periphery of the trouser leg. Strap i9 is then pulled tight and tied, providing a waterproof union between the lower extremity of the trouser leg and the double-walled boot top.

The embodiment of the suit in which the boot foot is made integral with the trouser leg, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, provides a completely unitary garment which may be donned or removed in a minimum of time yet which preserves the various advantages of the removable boot embodiment of the suit.

The suit is preferably provided with a suitable belt 52 about its waist section to enable the wearer to belt the suit in at the waist after he has put it on, to eliminate puffing or bulging of the suit in the water.

In using the suit the prospective wearer first frees main zipper 43, then inserts his legs through the opening above insert 42, pulling the suit on until his feet register with the soles of boots l2 and IS. The arms are then inserted into the sleeves of the garment and the hood is pulled over the head. The wearer then ties straps 26 and 2'! over the insteps of his feet to take up excess material in the feet and ties straps l9 about his ankles taking up excess slack in the legs of the suit. Zipper 43 is then pulled upwardly closing the front portion of the garment over the chest of the wearer. Head strap 34 is then pulled upwardly to raise the front edge of the hood to the desired height above the wearers eyes. As a final step, cord 32 is knotted under the wearers chin to enclose the edges of his face snugly within hood I4. The reverse of this operation is followed in the removal of the suit.

The present suit has numerous advantages over coverall suits which have been used in the past. Due to the bellows inserts '30 and 3| over the knees of the garment, the bellows insert 38 between the shoulders thereof and the crotch in sert 5|, even when the suit is completely fastened over the person there is great freedom of movement of both the arms and legs and the wearer may assume a kneeling, crouching or crawling position in the suit without binding thereof. Furthermore, due to the novel disposition of the bellows inserts, excess fabric and bulkiness previously found in such coverall garments and which made them extremely cumbersome to wear, are eliminated.

Due to the various adjustments possible in the hood and boot portions of the garment it can be made in two sizes, i. e., medium and large, to fit practically any size wearer.

The garment is extremely light and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and due to its various watertight closure features it will maintain the wearer in a dry and comfortable condition during long periods of exposure to water.

The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. Attention is directed to the appended claims for a limitation of its scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In a waterproof suit provided with body, leg, and arm covering portions, vertically disposed bellows inserts in the forward edges of the leg portions, a vertical bellows insert in the rear upper section of thebody portion of the suit, narrow shoulder portions of approximately one fourth of the width of said body portion at the upper lateral extremities of said body portion, a downwardly widened hood made integral with the upper portion of the suit and extending to the inner edges of said narrow shoulder portions thereof, a draw string slidably inserted about the edges of the forward extremity of said hood, a central opening extending down the front of the suit to the crotch thereof, a V-shaped bellows insert affixed within the front portion of the suit behind said opening extending at its upper lateral extremities outwardly to the lower edges of said hood and wedge-shaped boots made integral with the lower legs of the suit.

2. In a waterproof suit including body, leg, and arm covering portions, narrow shoulder portions of approximately one fourth of the width of said body portion disposed at the upper extremity of said body portion, a downwardly widened hood made integral with the upper extremity of said body portion and extending outwardly to the inner edges of said narrow shoulder portions, bellows inserts vertically disposed in the knee sections of the leg portions thereof, a vertically disposed triangular bellows insert in the upper rear section of the body portion, an elliptical bellows insert horizontally disposed in the crotch area thereof, and wedge-shaped boots made integral with the lower extremities of the leg portions of the suit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 964,697 Rogers July 19, 1910 1,082,213 Robinson Dec. 23, 1913 1,678,081 Rimpler July 24, 1928 1,703,808 Wright Feb. 26, 1929 1,939,257 Erlanger Dec. 12,1933 2,323,777 Katz July 6, 1943 2,379,498 Shaw July 3, 1945 2,581,366 De Grazia Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 121,657 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1919 

